Level controller

Abstract

A liquid level controller system and process wherein the liquid level controller is attached to a separator vessel so as to monitor fluid level within the separator vessel. The liquid level controller is configured such that hydrocarbon deposits, which hydrocarbon deposits build up in the d displacer arm chamber of the level controller, and be cleaned out without disconnecting the liquid level controller from the separator vessel and without disconnecting the displacer arm assembly from the pilot assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liquid level controller comprising;
 a pilot assembly; and   a displacer arm assembly operably attached to the pilot assembly, the displacer arm assembly having:
 a mounting body configured for connection to a separator vessel, the mounting body defining a chamber at least partially containing a displacer arm, the chamber in fluid flow communication with the separator vessel when the mounting body is connected to the separator vessel, and wherein the mounting body has a clean-out port configured to allow access to the chamber for cleaning hydrocarbon deposits out of the chamber wherein the hydrocarbon deposits accumulate when the liquid level controller is operated in connection with the separator vessel; and 
 the displacer arm which, during use with the separator vessel, extends through at least a portion of the chamber and into the separator vessel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The liquid level controller of  claim 1 , wherein the clean-out port is configured to allow access to the chamber for cleaning hydrocarbon deposits out of the chamber without removal of the mounting body from the separator vessel and without removal of the mounting body from the pilot assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid level controller of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting body has a first end, which during use is connected to the separator vessel with the displacer arm extending through at least a portion of the chamber and into the separator vessel, and an opposing second end, and wherein the clean-out port is located at the second end. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid level controller of  claim 1 , wherein the displacer arm assembly further comprises a removal plug, which seals the clean-out port during operation of the liquid level controller, and which can be removed during clean-out of the chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid level controller of  claim 4 , wherein the removal plug is screw mounted into the clean-out port. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid level controller of  claim 5 , wherein the clean-out port is configured to allow access to the chamber for cleaning hydrocarbon deposits out of the chamber without removal of the mounting body from the separator vessel and without removal of the mounting body from the pilot assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid level controller of  claim 6 , wherein the mounting body is tubular and the chamber is generally tubular so that the mounting body has a first end, which during use is connected to the separator vessel with the displacer arm extending through at least a portion of the chamber and into the separator vessel, and an opposing second end, and wherein the clean-out port is located at the second end. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid level controller of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the mounting body has a first end, which during use is connected to the separator vessel with the displacer arm extending through at least a portion of the chamber and into the separator vessel, and an opposing second end, and wherein the clean-out port is located at the second end;   the chamber is defined by a wall; and   the mounting body and the clean-out port are configured to allow access to the chamber so as to allow cleaning of the hydrocarbon deposits from the displacer arm and the wall of the chamber.   
     
     
         9 . The liquid level controller of  claim 8 , wherein the mounting body and clean-out port are configured to allow access to the chamber for cleaning hydrocarbon deposits from the displacer arm and the wall of the chamber without removal of the mounting body from the separator vessel and without removal of the mounting body from the pilot assembly. 
     
     
         10 . A process for operating a liquid level controller, the process comprising;
 attaching a liquid level controller to a separator vessel so as to monitor fluid level within the separator vessel, wherein the liquid level controller includes;
 a pilot assembly; and 
 a displacer arm assembly operably attached to the pilot assembly, the displacer arm assembly having:
 a mounting body configured for connection to the separator vessel, wherein the mounting body defines a chamber at least partially containing a displacer arm; and 
 the displacer arm which moves in relation to fluid level in the separator vessel and is operably connected to the pilot assembly so as to convey fluid level information to the pilot assembly; 
 
   operating the separator vessel and liquid level controller, wherein during such operation the displacer arm conveys the fluid level information and hydrocarbon deposits build up in the chamber;   stopping operation of the separator vessel and liquid level controller; and   cleaning out the hydrocarbon deposits without disconnecting the liquid level controller from the separator vessel and without disconnecting the displacer arm assembly from the pilot assembly.   
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein after the step of cleaning out hydrocarbon deposits the process comprising renewing operation of the separator vessel and liquid level controller. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein the chamber in fluid flow communication with the separator vessel when the mounting body is connected to the separator vessel, and wherein the mounting body has a clean-out port configured to allow access to the chamber for cleaning hydrocarbon deposits out of the chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein the step of cleaning out the hydrocarbon deposits further comprises removing a plug from the clean-out port so as to access the chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein during operation the separator vessel and the chamber are pressurized above atmospheric pressure and wherein the step of stopping operation comprises depressurizing the separator vessel and the chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein the chamber is defined by a wall, and wherein the mounting body and wherein the step of cleaning out the hydrocarbon deposits comprises accessing the chamber through the clean-out port so as to remove the hydrocarbon deposits from the displacer arm and the wall of the chamber.